Nice ice, baby
Iceland’s northern coast is a vast and isolated land of snow-blanketed mountains, soaring volcanoes, and black-sand beaches. Welcoming guests to this wild territory is Eleven Experience’s Deplar Farm, a 12-room lodge on a 3,000-acre sheep ranch on the Troll Peninsula. With its plain wood facade, Deplar could easily pass for a traditional farmhouse – if not for the Airbus helicopter parked outside. Inside the lodge, a light and airy ambience prevails, with floor-to-ceiling windows, fur-covered loungers and a restaurant serving wild-caught Atlantic salmon and other local specialties. Of course, Deplar’s main draw is its range of outdoor excursions, from heli-skiing in the surrounding peaks and fly-fishing in glacial rivers to tamer pursuits such as puffin watching and hot-springs soaking.
So push your limits with a heli-skiing guide as you drop into a mind-blowing summit-to-sea descent on the Troll Peninsula in Iceland’s north country. By the last run of the day, with your hamstrings screaming for reprieve, know that the resort’s spa is as epic as the untouched mountainside.
The design gem of Deplar – with interiors by the lauded No. 12 Interiors – is the spa. Small in size (three treatment rooms) yet significant on visual impact, it fills a much-needed gap in Iceland’s health and wellness industry. The country may be touted for its geothermal spas and abundant active silica and minerals, yet a five-star spa experience has been lacking. Until now.
Central to the space is a swim-through, outdoor-indoor saltwater infinity pool. Natural geothermic heat exchanges mineral-dense arctic spring water to both the pool and spa, hugged by 10,000m Icelandic peaks and framing Instagram-envy views. The spa menu – a combination of various massage treatments and several yoga practices (private and group classes are offered) – is straightforward and specifically caters to sports recovery. Therapists (ask for Mary Gordon-Cumming) are well versed in ski-specific massage. The “cones”, however, are the standouts. Two cutting-edge sensory deprivation tanks in private treatment rooms are a cure-all for weary travellers or hard-charging adventurers. An hour-long float in one can feel like six hours of sleep – and conquers jet lag, sports recovery, sleep deprivation, and overactive minds.
Given Deplar’s decidedly remote locale, design was no easy task. The island’s natural landscape serves as a muse, and No. 12 took a decidedly minimalist approach, sourcing driftwood from the nearby sea and stone from the local Fljotaa River. The spa lounge features chic appointments, including handmade, cosy Icelandic wool throws, and most noteworthy, inspiring alpine vistas ideal for meditation and reflection.
